Terry Richard/The OregonianThe Redwood Nature Trail in Curry County, one of the few places where redwoods grow naturally in Oregon, is closed to prevent spread of a plant disease.

The popular Redwood Nature Trail on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is closed to prevent the spread of a water mold, Phytophthora ramorum, the cause of a plant disease commonly known as sudden oak death.

A tanoak tree located on the Redwood Nature Trail, east of Brookings, has recently tested positively for the plant disease.

To reduce the risk of spreading the pathogen, the U.S. Forest Service immediately closed the
trail and will be conducting more extensive surveys in the area to monitor if additional vegetation may be infected.

The trail will remain closed until the risk of spreading the pathogen to new areas is minimal.

People can accidentally spread sudden oak death long distances by moving infested soil, wood, leaves or stems that become attached to boots and clothes while hiking through an infested area.

The Redwood Nature Trail is located about nine miles northeast of Brookings and one-half mile north of Alfred A. Loeb State Park.

Hikers are asked to heed the posted closure signs at the Redwood Nature Trail trailhead and at the location where the Redwood Nature Trail connects with Oregon State Park's Riverview Trail. Notification and closure signs are posted at Alfred A. Loeb Oregon State Park.

Sudden Oak Death is well adapted to the mild, wet conditions of coastal Curry County and mainly infects tanoak, Pacific rhododendron, evergreen huckleberry, and occasionally Oregon myrtlewood. The plant disease spreads by producing small spores that readily break off of infected leaves and twigs that can be spread in rain splash and wind. It survives as thick-walled resting spores in infected leaves and soil organic matter.

Terry Richard/The OregonianMost people see the beauty of a redwood in its massive trunk, but its tiny needles are also beautiful.